A client is receiving an intravenous lidocaine infusion after being converted from ventricular tachycardia. The client begins to display signs of confusion, anxiety, agitation, and restlessness. What should the nurse do first?

1. Increase the rate of lidocaine infusion.
2. Turn off the lidocaine infusion.
3. Administer oxygen at 4 L per nasal cannula.
4. Notify the client's health care provider.


Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Increasing the rate of lidocaine would worsen symptoms and could lead to ventricular dysrhythmia and subsequent cardiac arrest.
Rationale 2: The first signs of lidocaine toxicity usually involve the CNS and include confusion, anxiety, tremors, and other symptoms. The infusion should be discontinued immediately, and the health care provider notified.
Rationale 3: Oxygen should be administered, but this is not the first action the nurse should take.
Rationale 4: The health care provider should be notified, but this is not the first action the nurse should take.
Global Rationale: The first signs of lidocaine toxicity usually involve the CNS and include confusion, anxiety, tremors, and other symptoms. The infusion should be discontinued immediately, and the health care provider notified. Increasing the rate of lidocaine would worsen symptoms and could lead to ventricular dysrhythmia and subsequent cardiac arrest. Oxygen should be administered, but this is not the first action the nurse should take. The health care provider should be notified, but this is not the first action the nurse should take.

Nursing

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